Improvement in running-gears for vehicles



2 Sheets--Sheet l.

i. EDWS. Running-Gear for Vehices.

Patented Feb. 25,1873.

f/f. i

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ISAAC O. lllEDDOWS, OF BONHAM, TEXAS.

lMPROVEMENT IN RUNNINGGEARS FOR VHIICLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 136,331, dated February 25, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ISAAC O. MEDDows, of Bonham, in the county of Fannin and State of Texas, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Gearing for Road-Wagons, Carriages, &c., of which the following is a specification:

This invention relates to the mode of constructing the gearing of road-wagons, carriages, etc.; and it consists in forming the head-block in two pieces, with a central eye or opening for the passage ot' the axle 3 a groove for the reception of the king-bolt ot the rockin g bolster; and wrought-iron brackets or loops for the attachment ofthe coupling-pole, tongue, ctc.; also, in friction-boxes for the axles, formed in two parts, the upper having a key or bearing for the journals of a friction-roller placed within the box over the axle, and the lower part of the box having a key or bearing placed immediately beneath the axle; the whole forming friction-boxes, which are rmly bolted to the bolsters by means of wrought-iron bands which encircle the boxes 5 and in further details of construction hereinafter more fully set forth.

In the drawing, Figure l is atop or plan View ofthe gearing embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is a side view ofthe same. Fig. 3 represents an end view. Figs. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 are detached views of my improvements in wagons.

Like letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

The letters A A' represent the two parts forming the head-block. They are of castiron and of similar construction, so that when brought together a central eye or opening is formed for the passage of the axle-tree, and a groove in the upper part of the block is left for the reception of the kin g-bolt a. B B represent wrought-iron brackets or loops bolted to the front and rear of the head-block for attaching the tongue and coupling. The sections of the head-block are extended downward, forming two arms or projections, b b', which embrace the said bolster, and form the means for securing the head-block upon the sand-bolster C, by bolts and nuts or otherwise. D D represent the two sections forming the frictionbox for the axles, the sections being confined together by a wrought-iron band, E, passing around the entire box and fastened with bolts to the bolster (l. d. d represent what I term friction-keys or bearing-surfaces, composed oi' cast-steel. The one, d, in the upper section, D, of t-he box, is made ot' such a size as will accommodate the journal j' of a friction-roller, F; the lower one, d', must be of such size as will admit of free movement of the axle-tree H. The upper section of the box D is by far the larger and stronger portion, and is recessed, as shown in Figs. 6 and 8, for the reception of the friction-roller F. The lower section D is little more than a shell for containing the key or friction-surface d', this construction being necessary, as the upper portion has to bear the weight ofthe load and the jar ot travel. e are loops or brackets bolted to the band E as fasteuings for the guide-braces of the tongue.

The construction of the several friction-boxes and their relation to the axle-trees are similar, and such as above described. Their mode of attachment to the bolster-coupling tongue l will now proceed to describe.

The head-block and the two friction-boxes of the forward axle-tree are placed over the sand-bolster C, and secured thereto by means of the bolts and nuts or other suitable devices passing through the downwardly-projecting portions b b ofthe head-block and bands E E which surround the friction-boxes. The tongue is connected to the head-block by a wroughtiron strap passing around the end ofthe tongue and through the loop B on the head-block. Across the tongue, atri ght angles to the same,

is arranged a cross-bar, l, which connects with the guide-braces g y, said guide-braces being secured at one end to the loops e of the band E, and at the other end to the tongue in any suitable manner. K, Figs. l and 2, represents the rocking bolster, which is provided with circle-bars k, (shown in dotted lines,) placed underneath the bolster, immediately over the friction-boxes, and secured to the bolster by braces fastened near the ends thereof. L represents the couplingor reach secured to the headblock by a wrought-iron strap passing through the loop or bracket B', and having a stay or brace, l, extending from the coupling to the sand-bolster C. M represents the rear bolster, which is placed over the friction-boxes and axletree, and connected to the boxes by being bolted to thc bands E which bind the sections of the boxes together. N are the hounds, secured at one end to the boxes E by the brackets before described, and at the other end to the coupling L. A rod, O, extends across from one to the other ot' the rear axleboxes, so as to brace them and afford greater resistance to any lateral strain.

H nvin g described my invention, I claim- 1. The head-block, provided with a central eye or opening for the passage of the axle-tree, a groove for the reception ofthe king-bolt, with a loop or bracket in front and rear, as and for the purpose speciiied.

2. The friction-boxes, constructed in two parts and provided with a friction-Wheel, F, metal bearing-surfaces or keys d d', and secured by a metallic band or other suitable clamping devices, substantially as specilied.

ISAAC ORSON MEDDOWS.

Witnesses:

J H. OLIPHINT, W. W. BROWNLEE. 

